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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
    Age
    71
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    6,458

    Default Hercus No.O Powerfeed - DIY Version

    Terry 'Tham60' asked whether anyone had fitted a powerfeed to their No.O and I had typed out this reply before realising that Terry was probably talking about an over the counter, plug and go drive not some lashed together windscreen wiper motor job. So rather than mess up his thread I can mess up my own.

    I commenced work on power feeding the little No.O's table after a discussion with Trong 'Jackaroo' a couple of months ago. Trong had used a car seat motor to power the slotting attachment he made for his 260 and I was able to acquire a motor from a Range Rover seat for a reasonable price on eBay. The seat motor appealed because it would have considerable torque and it proved to have it in abundance. The catch is that the 12V motor spins at 126RPM on full power. With the voltage reduced to 5V the motor turns at a unstallable 60 RPM. Any less and starts to flag. 60 RPM is way too fast so gearing will be required, maybe something like a 12:1 reduction.

    IMG_20210529_131845792.jpg IMG_20210529_131943139.jpg IMG_20210529_132153657.jpg IMG_20210529_132604675.jpg

    I thought that a readily removable connection to the leadscrew along similar lines to that on my other mill would be worthwhile but it required modification of the saddle to accommodate the required coupling.

    IMG_20210531_104301240.jpg IMG_20210531_103451639.jpg IMG_20210531_103715582.jpg IMG_20210529_124136863.jpg IMG_20210529_125645673.jpg

    Cutting the relief in the saddle was a bit of a challenge but I got there in the end. Handy thing having two mills.

    IMG_20210601_162440536.jpg IMG_20210602_130739710.jpg IMG_20210602_135654852.jpg IMG_20210602_160959641.jpg

    And then another project poked up its hand.......

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    6,540

    Default

    How big a gearbox can you take Bob? I have a 40 series 'Nord' box here, 20:1 worm reduction but it is probably too big (around 120 square and 80 thick). Saved from the bin for a project that changed it's mind.

    Michael

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
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    71
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    How big a gearbox can you take Bob? I have a 40 series 'Nord' box here, 20:1 worm reduction but it is probably too big (around 120 square and 80 thick). Saved from the bin for a project that changed it's mind.

    Michael
    Thank you but it's probably too big Michael.

    I'm thinking a combination of four Module 1.0 spur gears along with a dog clutch, all sitting below the table face. I have to get back into focusing on this project rather than being distracted.

    Trong sent me over a nice Melbourne made DC gear motor but unfortunately it is also too fast and more importantly, too heavy to mount at the end of the table. We had been looking at an image of the mythical factory powerfeed and thought that the gear motor wouldn't be out of place, visually. I hadn't considered the weight. The Hercus powerfeed motor is saddle mounted.

    IMG_20210713_144809625.jpg IMG_20210713_144821596.jpg Power Feed - Brochure Illustration.jpg

    Bob.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    837

    Default

    Looking forward to seeing how this goes

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    Good evening Bob and All, I am wondering if some of the DC motor controllers which I think work on a pulse width modulated principal might give you the slow speed with good torque that you need, and be far superior to a variable voltage speed controller. If so you may be able to dispense with another reduction set altogether.
    This is an Altronics kit you assemble yourself https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12483302...&ul_noapp=true
    Another one currently out of stock it says, but phone number for enquiries https://www.motiondynamics.com.au/12...rnal-case.html
    Manual for above can be downloaded from their site.
    There will be lots of others, possibly some very cheap.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
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    71
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ropetangler View Post
    Good evening Bob and All, I am wondering if some of the DC motor controllers which I think work on a pulse width modulated principal might give you the slow speed with good torque that you need, and be far superior to a variable voltage speed controller. If so you may be able to dispense with another reduction set altogether.
    This is an Altronics kit you assemble yourself https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12483302...&ul_noapp=true
    Another one currently out of stock it says, but phone number for enquiries https://www.motiondynamics.com.au/12...rnal-case.html
    Manual for above can be downloaded from their site.
    There will be lots of others, possibly some very cheap.
    Sorry for the tardy reply Rob.

    When I discussed motors with Trong, he recommended using a PWM controller with the seat motor so I purchased a controller for a measly $10 and that is what I used to slow the motor to 60RPM at 5V. Years ago I tried my hand at building a kit PWM control but it made smoke. A lack of understanding electrons was my downfall.

    Bob.

  7. #7
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    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    Default

    Bob, what's the size of that screw on the seat motor? I have a couple of people wanting a worm/ worm gear set, so I'm thinking wormyness again*. If I know what the thread is, I maybe able to cut a worm to suit.

    Michael

    *For those that came late - https://metalworkforums.com/f65/t170...78#post1661078

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
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    71
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    Bob, what's the size of that screw on the seat motor? I have a couple of people wanting a worm/ worm gear set, so I'm thinking wormyness again*. If I know what the thread is, I maybe able to cut a worm to suit.

    Michael

    *For those that came late - https://metalworkforums.com/f65/t170...78#post1661078
    Michael,

    The thread has an O.D. of 11.76mm and a pitch of 3mm and probably a 30 degree trapezoidal thread form given its German origin. Not much wormish about it and it's my intention to remove the thread from the shaft to facilitate the mounting of an outboard support bearing.

    Bob.

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